Chamber receives $25,000 grant
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

From left, Clay Boulineau accepts the "Citizen of the Year" award from Julie Chance. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

The Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce is the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Labor. The grant award was announced during the chamber's annual banquet held Thursday, March 29, at the Jenkins County Agriculture Center.

In making the announcement, Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, guest speaker for the occasion, praised Paula Herrington, Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce executive director, for her efforts on behalf of Millen and Jenkins County. The funds will be used to support the chamber's efforts in seeking additional businesses and industries for Millen and Jenkins County.

Two special awards were also presented to local citizens by the chamber.

Clay Boulineau was named "Citizen of the Year" for his dedication to the community. The presentation was made by the 2006 award recipient, Julie Chance of the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center.

Mr. Boulineau, a Richmond County native, moved to Millen at the age of eight and has been married to lifelong resident Angela Rhinehart Boulineau for 22 years. They have two sons, Daniel, 20, and Matt, 17, and one granddaughter, Alaina, 3.

From left, Ken Delay and Ed Fuller present the "Business Person of the Year" award to Alan Jarrard, owner of Jarrard Chevrolet Buick and Pontiac.

He is a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church and serves as a volunteer fireman, having received the Fireman of the Year award four times. He currently works with the City of Millen as the Public Works Director and was instrumental in the development of the Millen Rotary Club farmers/flea market on Cotton Avenue.

Alan Jarrard, owner of Jarrard Chevrolet Buick and Pontiac Inc., was the recipient of the "Business Person of the Year" award. Last year's recipients, Ken Delay and Ed Fuller, owners of Eagle Pharmacy, made the presentation.

Mr. Jarrard was introduced to the car business in his early teen years by his father who owned and operated a Chrysler dealership in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. After enjoying a professional golf career and a career in real estate development and consulting for many years, he decided to head back to the automotive business. In 2004 he bought the local dealership and has seen sales increase every year. In 2006, he opened Jarrard Pre-owned in Statesboro.

The Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce was the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Labor. From left, Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond presents the award to Paula Herrington, executive director, Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce, as Tyrone Carrell, employment and training consultant, Georgia Department of Labor, looks on.

He is married to Judi Gidley Jarrard and they have two sons, Blair and Blake.

In his remarks Commissioner Thurmond pledged continued support for employees of Jockey International who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of the Millen plant.

"Sometimes blessings come in disguise," Thurmond noted as he called attention to the fact that over half of those employees were now enrolled in GED training at the Jenkins County Adult Learning Center.

Commissioner Thurmond outlined three ingredients important for the future of Jenkins County.

"First, you must continue to invest in the young people of this county and city. Children represent 20 percent of the population and 100 percent of the future," he said.

The second important ingredient, Thurmond said, was to invest in the education of children, both public and private. He noted that one of the first questions asked by prospective industries is about the school system of the community.

The third factor noted for the future development of Jenkins County was a spirit of cooperation.

"It is not about 'us.' It is not about 'them.' We all have to work together. The future of Georgia is right here in Jenkins County. What counts most in life is not where you come from but where you are going," Commissioner Thurmond commented.